CCMD Consultant

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

 

Project Context and Scope

Increasingly, governments have to address the human mobility consequences of disasters, climate change and environmental degradation and the associated policy needs. Yet, the capacity of many governments to manage complex challenges and to implement possible solutions for addressing this multi-faceted phenomenon can be strengthened. What is more, several governments continue to work in silos, addressing human mobility separately from disaster and climate action, while an integrated approach would be the most beneficial. Finally, it is challenging for some governments to assess gaps and identify priorities given the complexity of environmental migration and disaster displacement in and across their countries. 

In this context, IOM is implementing the Climate Change and Migration Data Programme with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark, in North, East, West and Central Africa. 

Numerous researchers and data actors exist in these regions, producing vast and needed knowledge on migration, displacement and planned relocation in the context of disasters, climate change and environmental degradation. However, there are limited processes and mechanisms to bring them together to discuss priorities for the region, how to address gaps, and how to better inform policymaking. 

The present consultancy supports African researchers and data actors to engage with each other, with policymakers, and with researchers in other regions, to contribute to filling the research gap identified in the Research Agenda for Advancing Law and Policy Responses to Displacement and Migration in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change. 

Since 2021, IOM has supported a continental initiative in collaboration with the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at the University of New South Wales, in addition to PDD and UNHCR. The Kaldor Centre Academic Workshop Series on 'Developing a Research and Policy Agenda for Addressing Disaster and Climate Change Displacement in Africa' provided an opportunity for researchers and academics working across Africa to engage in discussion, form networks and plan future research on topics related to migration and displacement in the context of disasters, climate change and environmental degradation. 

The objectives of the workshop series were to identify the research needs and gaps on environmental migration, disaster displacement and planned relocation in Africa, to design a research agenda for Africa, to contribute to the formulation of policy recommendations for Africa, and to develop networks for ongoing collaboration on this issue. Workshop participants included scholars working in law and other disciplines as well as representatives of key regional, sub-regional and civil society organisations. 

Following the Virtual Workshop Series on Developing a Research and Policy Agenda for Addressing Displacement and Migration in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change in Africa, the Climate Mobility Africa Research Network (CMARN) was established in 2021 as a platform for future collaboration between participants in the Virtual Workshop Series and others working on this issue. 

CMARN brings together researchers and policy makers working on displacement and migration in the context of disasters and climate change in Africa to advance policy-relevant research and create opportunities for collaboration and exchange. Dr Thabo Ndlovu from the National University of Science & Technology, Zimbabwe and Dr Aondowase Targba from the Federal University Gusau, Nigeria, are co-chairs of CMARN for 2026. CMARN is led by a Steering Group comprising researchers and experts in climate mobility in Africa. The Steering Group includes experts from: University of Lagos, Nigeria; National University of Science & Technology, Zimbabwe; Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology, Kenya; Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law UNSW, Australia; University of Venda, South Africa; Assane Seck University, Senegal; Federal University Gusau, Nigeria; Hugo Observatory, University of Liège; German institute for Development and Sustainability, Germany; and IOM. 

CMARN has the following specific objectives: 

• To promote and facilitate critical and independent research on law and policy responses to disaster and climate change-related human mobility in Africa, including as recommended by the Research Agenda for Advancing Law and Policy Responses to Displacement and Migration in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change; 

• To foster collaboration between researchers and policy experts with the goal of supporting evidence-based law and policy development on displacement and migration in the context of disasters and climate change and their implementation; and 

• To develop the knowledge and capacity of researchers in and from Africa on these issues, including early career researchers. 

  To implement the Climate Change and Migration Data Programme, and more particularly Output 3.2, IOM is planning to support activities at the intersection of climate change and migration research in Africa, including CMARN’s development by funding the present part time position. 

In collaboration with IOM CAD and experts at global, regional and country levels, the consultant will work to contribute to the “Climate Change and Migration Data” Programme (NC.0161).